Susan Carol Samonsky, 81, passed away on October 4th, 2024, at her home in Ventura, CA, after
a lengthy battle with dementia and pulmonary fibrosis. She was born on November 10th, 1942,
in Meyersdale, PA, to Hudson Virgil Grumbling and Mildred Alice Grumbling (nee Seanor).
After growing up and graduating from high school in Oil City, PA, she attended Westminster
College in New Wilmington, PA, and graduated with a teaching degree. Instead of pursuing
teaching Susan became a flight attendant with TWA, remaining with them for 29 years. She then
pursued teaching after first earning a master’s degree in special education from Cal. Lutheran
University. Susan was very dedicated to teaching children with special needs for 15 years before
retiring. She created and ran an after-school tutoring center at the United Methodist Church and
bought supplies to support it. Also, she enjoyed traveling, reading, tending to her beloved pets
(all of whom gravitated toward her) and singing in many choirs with a beautiful alto voice from a
very young age. “Wolfgang” was the string quartet she played violin with for several years.
Susan was a runner and completed 4 marathons with a best time of 3:38. She was a long-time
member of the First United Methodist Church in Ventura, and later attended the Unitarian
Universalist Church of Ventura until she passed away.
Susan will be dearly missed by her husband of 59 years, Louis (Chuck) Samonsky, her son
Andrew Samonsky, his wife Kate Reinders and her only grandchild, Luke Samonsky; as well as
her sister-in-law, Fran Grumbling, and nephews, Matthew Grumbling (wife Lynn) and Daniel
Grumbling (wife Jennifer), niece Ruth Kester and their combined 7 children. She was preceded
in death by her parents and brother Dr. Virgil Grumbling, and her nephew Mark Grumbling. In
lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Humane Society - Ventura County, 402
Bryant Street. Ojai, CA 93023. The family wishes to extend their gratitude to Livingston
Memorial, and Jacquie and Lupe in particular, for their wonderful care, as well as Dr. Eric
Birdwell and Dr. Robert Bernstein and their staffs, for their knowledge and dedicated medical
care.
A memorial service will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Ventura, 5654 Ralston
Street, Ventura, CA 93003, on November 9th at 1 pm, with the Reverend Dana Worsnop
officiating